Max Engling secures Secretary of State nomination at Indiana GOP Convention

Republicans from across Indiana gathered this past weekend in Fort Wayne for the party’s state convention. The purpose of the convention is to select candidates for statewide offices that aren’t subject to the primary election process. A total of 1,789 delegates, drawing from Indiana’s 92 counties, were elected in the May primary to attend the convention.

This year, State Treasurer Dan Elliott and State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla were unopposed in their bids for reelection.

However, Max Engling of Hamilton County was able to unseat incumbent Secretary of State Diego Morales after two rounds of voting, with Morales finishing a distant third behind Knox County Clerk David Shelton.

Engling will now face Democrat Beau Bayh, Libertarian Lauri Shillings, and a likely independent bid by former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard in the Nov. 3 general election.

Statement from Max Engling

Engling

Following Max Engling’s GOP Convention Victory, he released this statement:

Thank you for placing your trust in me as your Republican nominee for Secretary of State.

Whether you voted for me or another candidate, I ask that we come together as one team as we head into the fall campaign. I am grateful for your support, your engagement, and your commitment to our party and our state.

I pledge to work hard every day to defend conservative values, protect election integrity, and hold the line for Indiana Republicans.

Now it’s time to unite, rally together, and defeat Democrat Beau Bayh this November.

Thank you again for this honor. Let’s get to work.

Statement from Greg Ballard

Ballard

Independent candidate for Indiana Secretary of State Greg Ballard issued the following statement after the GOP convention:

It didn’t matter who the Republicans nominated today. There are more independents in Indiana than Republicans or Democrats, and this November they will finally have a true independent to vote for.

I’m pleased to announce my campaign has confirmed that we’ve turned in at least 52,501 signatures and I am confident I will be on the ballot this fall.

Statement from Beau Bayh

Bayh

Democrat Beau Bayh released the following statement after the GOP convention:

Hoosiers are ready for a change in the Secretary of State’s office. They are tired of the corruption, insider dealing, and waste of taxpayer money that Max Engling and the political insiders pulling his strings have enabled for years. I will continue to work to earn the votes of all Hoosiers and will be the Secretary of State for all Hoosiers.

Statement from Mario Massillamany

Massillamany

Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Mario Massillamany released this statement after Max Engling won nomination at the party’s convention:

I am proud to congratulate Max Engling on winning the Republican nomination for Indiana Secretary of State. Max earned this victory, and Hamilton County Republicans are squarely behind him heading into November.

This race matters. The Secretary of State is the chief election officer of Indiana; not a stepping stone, not a consolation prize, and not a platform to rehabilitate a family name.

Beau Bayh has no business running for this office. He’s a Democrat legacy candidate with no relevant experience. His name is borrowed. His qualifications are nonexistent. Hoosiers see through it.

Greg Ballard was disqualified before this race even started.  Not by his opponents, but by his own campaign. Submitting fraudulent petition signatures to gain ballot access is a fundamental disqualifier for someone seeking to oversee Indiana’s elections. You don’t get to cheat your way onto the ballot and then ask voters to trust you with their ballots. Our call for a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible still stands.

And on Friday, Ballard’s campaign announced it was fined $450 by the Indiana Election Division for filing two finance reports late; fines they won’t contest. The man who wanted to run Indiana’s elections couldn’t file his own campaign’s paperwork on time. That’s not a smear. It’s his campaign’s own statement.

Max Engling is competent, credible, and committed to election integrity. He earned this nomination, and he will earn this election.

Let’s get to work.

Reporter photos / Photos provided by Emily Pearson